An orthodox man, a Reform women rabbi and an Israeli Arab walk into a lecture as well as Nova musical festival and Purim

I like to title our Wednesday morning that an Orthodox Jewish man, a Woman Rabbi and an Israeli Arab walk into a bar.  Well actually they walked into our first session of the day.  The orthodox man was a participant on our trip and Mohammad Darawshe, is a

Shalom Hartman Institute faculty member and Director of Planning, Equality and Shared Society at Givat Haviva Educational Center. He discussed the challenges they and their teams have faced in today’s reality, and shared their dreams for the future. Rabbi Yehudit Werchow, one of our trip leaders is the former Director of Israel Engagement for the Union for Reform Judaism. She was born in Argentina and grew up in Israel.  Mohammad begin with what happened on October 8.  As the director of Givat Haviva he was able to open his campus to Jews who needed a place to stay who were refugees from the Gaza Envelope.  He realized that the trust level between Jews and Arabs was at an all time low.  We had heard the day before at K'far Azza that Hamas knew exactly where to attack in the kibbutz, which families had things to steal and where everything was located. This information had been gathered by the Palestinians who worked on the Kibbutz.  Mohammad believes in Conflict prevention, not unlike a vaccination which exposes to the disease in small doses; Arabs and Israelis must meet together even if it is small steps. Hamas has called for Arab Israelis to join their terror war.  For the most part they have not joined and realize that life is much better in Israel.  

Our Mifgash was almost at an end.  We did have some to process all we had seen and heard over the past 3 days.  We had small groups and we were each encouraged to share and help review all we had seen and heard.  I thank my group for helping me and making me look at the experience with different eyes. 

I was fortunate to stay in Israel for a few more days.  I still packed quite a bit into each day.  We went the next day to see t he Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an open-air music festival during the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret near kibbutz Re'im. There had been over 3000 people at this festival and as part of the attack, 364 civilians were killed and many more wounded by Hamas at least 40 hostages were also taken.  It was heartbreaking to see all the pictures of those who had died on this site.  They were all young, out for a Jewish holiday and those who survived also have harrowing tales.  They ran miles to the nearby kibbutzim before finding shelter.  It is monument now to all those who died at the concert.  I am not sure how this will be processed into the Israeli and Jewish consciousness.  I feel lucky that I was able to bear witness at all of these sites and to be able to see with my own eyes the destruction. Many of you have heard the story of Hersh Goldberg Polin.  He also had a picture amid all of the other young adults who had died.  

Hersh Goldberg-Polin Memorial at Nova

That evening, after visiting the Nova festival we went to a Purim Megillah reading in Tel Aviv at Beit Daniel.   It was fun, great to celebrate in Israel.  It was certainly a subdued celebration.  They began the service with a prayer for the hostages and the Israeli soldiers.  It was good to be with an Israeli congregation and it did lighten our hearts.  

Enjoy my pictures and my musings on my time in Israel.  I hope to do one more post.  I have to say that this trip, where I spoke Hebrew all the time, even went to a play all in HEBREW has inspired me get back to Israel and not wait 10 years.  

Lori Sagarin and me at Beit Daniel

We visited Kfar Aza and Kibbutz Sa'ad

On Tuesday March 19,  our Mifgash traveled to Kfar Aza, one of the Israeli Kibbutzim that was attacked on October 7th.  After the attack they evacuated after more than 60 residents were murdered and at least 18 were kidnapped on Oct. 7.  Our group was broken into 2 groups and my leader was Shachar, who is the only person who is currently living on the kibbutz.  To see the houses riddled by bullets, burnt to the ground and pictures of those kibbutz members taken hostage was not easy to look at.  The stories that Shachar told us were also devastating.  The members are still deciding if they want to come back to the kibbutz.  They are so close to Gaza we could hear Israel bombing.  It was a somber reminder of what is happening there.  One story I will share is that when Hamas attacked the Kibbutz they had house by house information about where everything was located in the kibbutz.  This is not the first kibbutz where I have heard this same story.  Palestinians who worked on Kibbutzim had provided this information to Hamas. I think rebuilding trust will not come easily.  The irony is that these Kibbutzim for the most part are liberal, peace loving places with many ties to the Palestinians.  Those relationships have been severed for now.  

Walking in the deserted kibbutz was very disconcerting. Most of the damage on Kfar Azza ws done to the neighborhoods where the young people lived in 2 room houses, a bedroom, kitchen and living room. They were brave and tried to save one another.  One young man, threw back 4 grenades and when he missed one grenade he fell on it to save his fiance.  This is just one story.  

We next went to Kibbutz Sa'ad, which is a modern orthodox kibbutz right across the street.  They were saved as the people from K'far Azza warned them and they were able to get their weapons and fight back.  Now, most of this kibbutz has come back.  They were in Dead Sea hotels for 5 months and just got back to kibbutz.  

One man stayed because he was in charge of the milking cows and he had many Thai workers he felt responsible for.  They also grow and refrigerate flowers on Sa'ad.  At one point the man in charge of the big refrigerators was asked to empty them, they were to be filled with the bodies soldiers killed in the fighting.

We heard from the principal of the area who lived on Kfar Azza.  He ran many schools and as the first week of war continued he went to 5-8 funerals a day. Teachers, friends and students.  He has not moved back to Kfar Azza yet.  He wants to visit the States in May.  We asked why May?  His personal kids will not be graduating with all their friends, many died and some have not come back to the area.  Also in May Israel has both Yom HaZikaron, memorial day and Yom Ha-atzmaout, Independence day.  He doesn't think his family can relive the past year through those commerations.

At the end of the evening we heard from Yussef Alziadna a Bedouin, mini bus driver.  A family friend called him at 6:00am from the Nova Music festival, another site of a horrible massacre.  He did not think twice but left to pick up these young people.  His mini bus held 14 people and he ended up helping over 30 people escape.  He became very famous in Israel and was even invited to meet President Biden.  He refused as he still has 2 cousins captive in Gaza.  Hamas has his phone number and has called him.  

This is just the beginning and I will write more soon.  

 

I am in Israel as I write this I want you to know that I have not been back to Israel for 10 years and that is a long time for me not to visit.  In the past 10 years my daughter Lital got married to her husband Cole, they have 2 children, I am a Savta, I had ovarian cancer and am STILL NED, (no evidence of disease), lost my father to cancer, and still work with my congregation, Makom Solel Lakeside as Director of Lifelong Learning where I work with adults.  That is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have been doing since last being in Israel.  Now for what's happening in Israel. 

The world changed on Shabbat Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023. It seems like yesterday that we watched television news day in and day out as the war in Israel came alive on our televisions.  We couldn't believe that this was a war and there were over 250 hostages brutally taken from Israel and thousands killed, including soldiers, women and children.  Many of those Israelis murdered. When the war broke out Israel called up 220,000 reservists and the whole country came together to help where they My heart has been the East since the war began and I was looking for a way to come to Israel.  I am so fortunate to have been in Israel with The iCenter, on a Mifgash with meaning.  A Mifgash is a meeting and we were 31 participants with 4 staff from the iCenter. We were also so fortunate to work the staff of Shorashim who made our ground accommodations.  

I have so much to say about this trip, the people who were on it and how much we learned.  I know that there is not one narrative about the matzav, situation here in Israel.  I do know that the world has changed and we can only hope to help in some small way.  Our first night with our cohort we worked with the artist Henoch Piven.  His workshops allow anyone to be an artist and since October 7 he has been working with families to help them get over their trauma.  We all did a piece entitled: My Journey in Times of Turmoil.  Just a sample of my art.

I am on the right and Israel is on the left and we both have tears.  I know this activity helped us to begin processing what we were feeling.  

Have I mentioned that I was the oldest person on the trip.  I take pride in that and have great hope to know that so many of my young colleagues are dedicated to making Israel a top priority.  Tuesday we know will be a long day as we are traveling to K'far Azza.  This kibbutz had many members brutally murdered and it was indeed a very long day.  I will write more after Shabbat as I do want to share my trip with you.

My cohort, Israel 2024 Mifgash with Meaning

Why are we feeling Sad and Happy Thanksgiving!

I get many surveys to fill out being a Jewish educator.  I just filled out one from Tablet, an online magazine and the last question was a one word fill in the blank how do you feel.  I wrote in SAD.  Since October 7, our world has changed.  The destruction of that one day physically and spiritually to Am Yisrael, the Jewish people is incalculable.  We will be trying to put back the pieces of the destrution for at least the rest of my life.  The upsurge of antisemitism all over the world, especially in the US and on our college campuses is unbelievable and even sadder to witness.  I did this article for my synagogue, Makom.  If you need some books to read, movies to watch take a look.  Some of them are oldies but goodies and some of them are new.  

I continue to find joy in my family, my children, grandchildren and husband.  Thankful for my mom and my sister and her family for celebrating Thanksgiving with us.  The one holiday I don't work, well not at the synagogue.

Thanksgiving 2014

Bulletin Article December 2023

 In a world dominated by 24-hour news cycles and the constant flow of information on social media platforms, it's easy to become overwhelmed, especially about the war in Israel. When it comes to understanding a complex and nuanced country like Israel, relying solely on TV news or social media does not provide the depth and context needed. I encourage you to look at vetted sources, articles, books and even videos, for a more comprehensive and informed perspective on current events in Israel.

 

Reading allows for a more in-depth exploration of Israel's history, culture, and politics. It is not always easy to find well-researched materials, but it will allow for a more comprehensive picture of the country. Israel has a rich and complex history that cannot be fully captured in brief news segments. The sound bites we see on television do not give us the insight into the roots of the Israeli-Arab conflict.    

 

Reading also exposes individuals to a diverse range of perspectives and opinions. Unlike the often-polarized narratives presented in news broadcasts or on social media, books written by different authors provide a more balanced view, allowing readers to form their own informed opinions. TV news and social media are driven by the need for high ratings and engagement, as I mentioned, and this results in sensationalized reporting.

 

In a world where information is often reduced to soundbites and headlines, taking the time to read about Israel provides a valuable opportunity for a more nuanced and informed understanding. So, the next time you're tempted to rely solely on TV news or social media, consider picking up a book or find a well-researched article for a more comprehensive view on Israel.  Also, novels about Israel give you a more nuanced view as well and maybe easier to digest.  There are not books about this war but there are many books  and novels about Israel.

 

Don’t know of any books to read about Israel?  Here are just a few.  I have also added some movies as well. Check out our library for many of these books and more. 

 

Books

NON-FICTION



·   Soldier of Peace: The Life of Yitzhak Rabin by Dan Kurzman

·   Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor By Yossi Klein Halevi

·   Israel by Noa Tishby



·   The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan

•        Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and                Divided a Nation: Yossi Klein Halevi

•        The Story of Israel: Sir Martin Gilbert

•        Israel, a History: Martin Gilbert

•        Letters to Auntie Fiori: The 5,000-Year History of the Jewish People and their Faith:                 Martin Gilbert

•        A History of Israel from the Rise of Zionism to Our Time: Howard M. Sachar.  

•        The People on the Street: A Writer's View of Israel by Linda Grant.  

•        One Palestine Complete: Tom Segev

 

NOVELS:


•      Exodus by Leon Uris

•      The Source by James Michener

•   The Family Orchard by Nomi Eve
•   Exodus by Leon Uris

•   Hope Valley by Ner-David, Haviva 
•   The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land by Omer Friedlander

•       The Yellow Wind by David Grossman

•        The Seven Good Years by Etgar Keret

•        Jerusalem by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. 

•        A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz

•        To the end of the Land by David Grossman

•        Waking Lions by Ayalet Gundar Goshen

•        Second Person Singular by Sayad Kashua

 

Young Adult Novels

 •        A bottle in the Gaza Sea by Valérie Zenatti, 

•        All the rivers by Dorit Rabinyan

•        Next Year in Israel by Sarah Bridgeton

Movies:

·   Exodus with Paul Newman

·   Golda with Helen Mirren

·   Oslo, 2021

·   Maktub, from 2017 dark humor

Sharsheret Honoree D'var

This week I was honored as a Champion of Sharsheret.  If you have never heard of Sharsheret take a read here.  It was a wonderful evening for a fantastic cause. Thank you to everyone who donated and worked so hard on this evening. Here is my D'var Torah for the evening. 

Sharsheret May 10, 2023 5783

This week’s Torah portions, Behar-Bechukotai (from the Mountain and by my decrees) are rich with lessons that you’ll notice if you’re paying attention, but for the d’var Torah I am sharing tonight -- I’d like to turn to a practice that I have thought of frequently in these last five years --  Sefrot Ha-Omer, the counting of the Omer.  Tonight is the 35th day of the Omer, 5 weeks, --הַיּוֹם חֲמִשָּׁה וּשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם שֶׁהֵם חֲמִשָּׁה שָׁבוּעוֹת לָעֹֽמֶר.

Hayom chamishah ushloshim yom shehem chamishah shavuot la-omer.

As I thought about being in Sefirot Ha-Omer I realized that cancer patients do quite a bit of counting. You can ask any survivor here and they will be able to tell you how many years/months/weeks or days they have been either in treatment or declared NED, No Evidence of disease. We count how many treatments we have yet to go and how many we have been through. We count the procedures we have had, the operations, infusions and other medical treatments. Our counting is medical, but also, like the Omer, meditative as we walk this journey.

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2018 and from that date I began counting -- that is 4 years 11 months and 2 weeks of living with cancer. That diagnosis changed many things in my life and in the lives of my family and friends. For me, living out the winding journey of my cancer diagnosis, I recognize how precious each day, each season, each year can be.  I count them with joy. While some journeys are about introspection, this one -- like the communal act of counting the Omer -- has focused my gaze on the power of those around me, and tonight I’d like to share how the power of community has come to life for me during the past few years.

I made a decision when I was first diagnosed to share my journey through a blog. Feel free to check out InoneEhrlich where you can read my whole story. Jewish practice, by tradition, is communal and it was on my blog that I first mentioned that beyond good wishes, another way of supporting me, family, friends, and people who are going through cancer is through fulfilling the obligations from Eilu d’varim sh’ain l’hem shiru, which we say in our daily morning prayers. Unlike the Omer, and unlike the careful application of lifesaving drugs like tamoxafin, these are the things you can do WITHOUT measure: going to services, studying, committing deeds of loving kindness and visiting the sick.  This form of Tzedakah or gimilut chasadim brought comfort to my family and myself -- beyond measure and without count. 

I always caution people NOT TO GOOGLE ovarian cancer, or any other cancer.  The one place I ALWAYS tell everyone to google is Sharsheret.  Sharsheret, Hebrew for "chain".  We know that due to a higher prevalence of a BRCA mutation, Ashkenazi Jews have a higher risk of developing not just breast and ovarian cancer but also other cancers.  Knowledge is power, especially when it means catching cancer early. I am so glad to thank Sharsheret for all their help and support over the past 4 and half years. They matched me with a mentor, sent information, scarves and makeup to me.  This year I am proud to say I was asked to be on the long term strategic planning committee for Sharsheret and am able to give back with my time and energy.

In the summer of 2019, after 7 months of treatment and 3 sessions of chemo, surgery, 5 more sessions of chemo, I was able to ring the bell and was pronounced NED. I was glad to have that part of the counting over -- and a new part of my counting began. Though luckily, I was able to kick off a new season of counting reunited with my annual 2 weeks of rejuvenation at the URJ Summer camp, Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute. As part of this new season of counting, I decided to do a personal mitzvah and went to the Mikveh, the Jewish ritual bath after getting the good news.  The mikvah attendant prepared personal healing prayers for me and as the water washed over me, I cried. Like finishing counting the Omer, I felt a sense of completion -- and at the same time, I felt I had brushed up against my mortality and kept going -- all while counting.

Fast forward to May 2023. We are here together to raise money for such a good cause. It has been 3 years, 11 months and 2 weeks  in my journey since I rang the bell. Since I was diagnosed we have added two grandchildren to our family, both great additions and a wonderful way to keep counting in our family.  My father also died last year of pancreatic cancer, which I believe will eventually be listed as a “Jewish cancer” the same as breast and ovarian cancer.  While subtraction, his death is another soul we must count.

My family was with me for every counting and  journey marker.  Either Arthur, my husband, or my kids, Ethan and Lital, took me to my 8 hour chemo appointments. Jonathan made sure we had groceries and clean clothes. Thank you. I would be remiss if I did not thank Sharsheret for carefully planning tonight’s gala NOT to be on a night when the Boston Celtics are scheduled to play in the playoffs.  

Thank you to everyone who is here this evening.  I want to especially thank All the Rabbis, Cantors and Educators who are here this evening from the Reform community who support me all year long. With your support and interest Sharsheret will continue to serve our community and grow from strength to strength.

And now for the part of the evening where we need to do MORE counting and not just the Omer.  The Steinberg’s and I have laid out for you our connection to Sharsheret and we know many of you have made generous contributions in honor of us to Sharsheret and this evening.  IF however you were looking for ONE MORE chance to donate, we have the opportunity for YOU.  Please take out your phones, and text “CHAIN” to 50155 to send your donation. 

 Instructions are on the screens above!

Sharsheret’s financial subsidies help cover the cost of life changing services – 3D nipple tattoos, cold caps, and human hair wigs, or cancer related life necessities, like mortgage or rent payments, car repairs, or groceries. Sharsheret has received "seed" money for these subsidies to help women who call, and now we are looking to raise another $25k to meet the demand. As a woman who called, I am happy to speak with you personally if you’d like to hear more about how meaningful that support is. 

 

Every bit helps, you can send 18 which is the numerical equivalent Chai or life, Double chai, 10 times Chai is also great --

for those of you who's counting acumen skipped over multiplication, 10 TIMES Chai is 180, and to do 100 Times Chai, you just add a zero.

If you do not want to donate via text, staff is walking up and down the aisles with pledge cards, just raise your hand!

(pause)

While you are pulling out your phones and I am sure SOME of you have checkbooks still I want to share where your dollars will go –

The average subsidy that Sharsheret provides is $2,500. If we raise $25,000 tonight, we can help 10 women in need.

(pause)

Last fall a woman called Sharsheret because her car had broken down and she could not pay the mechanic’s bill, and without a car she could not drive to and from chemotherapy. Through Sharsheret’s financial subsidies Sharsheret was able to directly pay the mechanic $2,000, and the next week she was able to drive to treatment. If you choose to donate $2,000 tonight, you can sponsor the next woman who is in need.

(pause)

Every day new women call Sharsheret in need of a human hair wig during treatment. Each wig is valued at $750. If you choose to donate an additional $750 tonight, you will provide a wig to a woman in need.

(pause)

A quick note - if you’re having technical difficulties, don’t be shy! Raise your hand and a Sharsheret representative will come over and help you. This is too important to let technology get in the way!

I want to tell you about a woman who called Sharsheret last month who was hitting hard financial times due to her diagnosis – Sharsheret was able to support her by sending $500 for groceries for her family. If you and the person next to you each donate the $250 tonight, you can be the sponsor for the next woman who is in need.

(pause)

Last but not least – you may not know this but today is Eve’s birthday. She has spent the last 5 years dedicated to Sharsheret. For those of you who haven’t texted yet, let’s pledge $36 to celebrate Eve, our fearless leader in Chicago!

(pause)

We have hit 9,000 already tonight!!!!

Right now we have a waiting list of 15 women in the queue to receive financial subsidies from Sharsheret.

If we can reach our $25,000 goal, we can help the first 10 women move off of the wait list.

 

Sharsheret is an organization which was started by one woman connecting to another for support – 22 years later, how far we have come.  The money we raise tonight will help each woman and in addition her family, when she  picks up the phone to call Sharsheret, and will help us look into the future and as we learn more about cancer, who it affects and how we can help.

(If you got this far in my d'var and want to donate click here.)

With your support,  I know that support will be on the other end of that line when they call. Kein yehi ratzon. May it be God’s Will